1.    The state board of accountancy consists of five members appointed by the governor.

Four members of the board must be residents of this state who hold certified public accountant certificates issued under the laws of this state and one member of the board must be a resident of this state who is a licensed public accountant under the laws of this state. When the number of licensed public accountants in this state drops below twenty-five, the licensed public accountant member requirement ceases to apply, except that the licensed public accountant then serving on the board may complete that term of office and thereafter the board shall consist of five certified public accountants. The terms of office must be arranged so that only one term expires each year on June thirtieth. Successor board member appointments are for terms of five years. Each member of the board shall qualify by taking the oath of office required of civil officers and shall hold office until a successor is appointed and qualified. A vacancy on the board must be filled by appointment by the governor from a list of at least three nominees submitted by the appropriate nominating committee. Any member of the board whose certificate is revoked or suspended automatically ceases to be a member of the board. The governor may remove any member of the board for neglect of duty or other just cause after a hearing. No person who has served two complete terms is eligible for reappointment, but appointment to fill an unexpired term may not be considered a complete term for this purpose.

2.    At its first meeting after June thirtieth in each year, the board shall organize by electing one of its members as president, one as secretary, and one as treasurer. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by one person. A majority of the board constitutes a quorum.

3.    A member of the board is entitled to compensation in an amount to be fixed by the board for each day or portion of a day spent in the discharge of duties, mileage as provided under section 54-06-09, and reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of official duties.

4.    All expenses incident to examinations under this chapter, expenses of preparing and issuing certificates and permits, travel expenses and other allowable expenses of the members of the board, and stationery, printing, clerk hiring, and other office expenses must be paid by the board from the fees collected by it, and no expense incurred under this chapter may be a charge against the funds of this state. Funds administered by the board may not revert to the state general fund.

5.    The board has the following powers:

a.    To administer oaths to all applicants or persons appearing before it in respect to investigations, examinations, or the issuance of certified public accountant certificates.

b.    To conduct investigations and examinations and issue certificates to properly qualified applicants and permits to properly qualified firms.

c.    To determine the qualifications of all applicants.

d.    To employ and establish the salary of an executive director and such other personnel as it deems necessary in administration and enforcement of this chapter. The board may appoint committees or persons, including counsel, to advise or assist the board.

e.    To take all action that is necessary and proper to effectuate the purposes of this chapter, including the power to sue and be sued in its official name as an agency of this state, to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, to administer oaths, to take testimony, to cooperate with appropriate authorities in other states in investigations and enforcement concerning violations of this chapter and comparable laws of other states, and to receive evidence concerning all matters within its jurisdiction. In case of disobedience of a subpoena, the board may invoke the aid of any court in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence. The board, its members, and its agents are immune from personal liability for actions taken in good faith in the discharge of the board’s responsibilities.

f.    The board may adopt rules governing its administration and enforcement of this chapter and the conduct of licensees, including:

(1) Rules governing the board’s meetings and the conduct of its business; (2) Rules of procedure governing the conduct of investigations and hearings; (3) Rules specifying the educational and experience qualifications required for the issuance of certificates under this chapter and the continuing education required for renewal of certificates and licenses; (4) Rules of conduct including rules relating to independence, integrity, and objectivity; competence and technical standards; responsibilities to the public; and responsibilities to clients; (5) Rules specifying actions and circumstances that must be deemed to constitute holding oneself out as a licensee in connection with the practice of public accountancy; (6) Rules governing the manner and circumstances of use of the titles “certified public accountant”, “CPA”, “licensed public accountant”, and “LPA”; (7) Rules concerning substantial equivalency; (8) Rules regarding practice reviews that may be required to be performed under this chapter; and

(9) Other rules the board deems necessary or appropriate for implementing this chapter.